Bunge Lentupuru: The Ferocious Warrior (Njemps/Ilchamus community)

Among the Ilchamus of Mkutani in Baringo, there lived a Shujaa (hero) called Bunge Lentupuru. He is believed to have been born in late 1890s, in Mkutani.

Bunge Lentupuru grew to become a strong child and among his brothers, he was favoured by his father.

By the age of seven, Lentupuru had learned and acquired the skills to herd his father’s cattle. Besides herding, Lentupuru together with his age-mates, learned to hunt, fish and ward off ferocious wild animals which were a menace to the livestock in his village. Lentupuru later became a Moran leader or warrior. As an Ilchamus moran, he learnt how to prepare for war and how to protect his community under the spiritual direction of the Laibon (medicine man).

But to become a Moran, he had to endure the moranship training which consisted of living in isolation in the bush, learning Ilchamus customs and developing strength, courage, and endurance -- important traits for warriors throughout the world.

It was after this training that he graduated to the moran age-set, referred to as lbaricho.

One day, while grazing his father’s livestock in a field far from Kiserian, he encountered a pack of five Ngetuny (lions). The lions attacked and snatched his father’s favorite bull at a lightning speed. Bunge Lentupuru attacked the five lions with his Ngotit (spear). He did this while screaming for the help of the morans who were grazing nearby.

He speared the lioness who was leading the pride in the belly, it died instantly. This provoked the most ferocious lioness in the pride to jump towards him. Without missing a bit, he went on to spear it. The spear went through its throat and it dropped dead. The remaining members of the pride scampered for their lives, and left the bull.

This heroic act made Lentupuru a celebrated hero. Several songs were composed to celebrate and commemorate his spearing of two lionesses. The community celebrated him and old men blessed him as a hero. He also received presents from his ageset, the lbaricho.

Lentupuru later married two wives who bore him seven children. He became a respected leader and statesman. In 1975, the Orkoik, a council of elders, recognised the bravery of Bunge Lentupuru and declared him an Ilchamus Laibon and Orkoiyot (Chief leader), a hero in Kiserian location Mkutani ward in Baringo County.

Bonus Information
The Ilchamus live in Baringo County. One of Baringo’s most notable features is Lake Baringo. With the unusual landscapes and prolific birdlife, the lake is a fascinating place for geologists and nature lovers' alike. Fishing is an important socio-economic activity in the region. The lake boasts of seven fish species, the Nile Tilapia being endemic.

Lake Baringo is one of only two freshwater Rift Valley lakes in Kenya, the other one is Lake Naivasha. Lake Baringo is fed by a number of rivers, but has no visible outlet. It is assumed that the water seeps away into the faults in the bedrock. The area is a popular destination for both local and international tourists.